<p>Does anyone know how much Chicago gives to National Merit Finalists who pick Chicago as their first-choice college?</p>
<p>I think it's something like $750, but I'm not sure about the exact amount.</p>
<p>bleh only 750?</p>
<p>I called today, it's between $1000-$2000 a year I think.</p>
<p>who all on this board is a finalist? I am (yay!)</p>
<p>My S (admitted EA) is a finalist; just got the letter today!</p>
<p>congrats momof2inca. My S also just got his letter. Wonder if they'll both end up at Chicago? Waiting is sooo hard!</p>
<p>I'm a finalist</p>
<p>kdos,
How many other schools did your S apply to? Mine applied to five others. I think Chicago is tied in his mind with only one other school, but the more time that goes by and the more we learn about Chicago, the better it seems for him. Somehow, it just seems like the real deal, without all the hype of some of the more popular or prestigious schools. But, yeah, the waiting is definitely hard! I'm especially on pins and needles about possible merit aid.</p>
<p>do national merit scholars have a higher chance of getting other kinds of merit aid from chicago? some places keep data on what schools get the most national merit finalists and if they use that info in rankings etc, it might work in our favor. then again, maybe chicago assumes that most other schools of their caliber won't give any merit money, so they'll make themselves attractive enough with a few thousand dollars. it could go both ways, what do you all think?</p>
<p>momof2inca,</p>
<p>my S applied to 5 others also..washu, rice, harvard, umich, and mcgill. I think Chicago is still #1 to him, the fit is so good. merit aid is such a crap shoot, you know? Nothing would surprise me at the point. Have you heard from any schools yet?</p>
<p>kdos,
We haven't heard from any of the other five schools (two UCs, two ivies and GW), and won't hear until April 1st. You're right, merit aid is a crap shoot. We're not expecting it at all, but really would be helped by it. We live in a very expensive county... the average house sells for $650K and so our cost-of-living is very high! Good luck to your S on his other decisions. What are your son's main academic interests? My S wants to study political science. If both our kids go to Chicago, maybe we will meet in person in the fall!</p>
<p>indytucker, I'm not sure if NMS would factor in highly to Chicago's merit awards, but it sure can't hurt!</p>
<p>momof2inca</p>
<p>wow! I cannot imagine how you do it in such an expensive area. Thanks for the good luck..I wish the same to you. My S's passion is a field called Evolutionary Psychology. It crosses disciplines such as genetics, bio, cognitive science, anthro, etc..</p>
<p>your S is into political science...cool. I can see why he appled to GW. I thought GW and American would be really interesting schools for that interest. Was he passionate about the election? My S sure was (as were we I admit). </p>
<p>Maybe we will have a chance to meet at UChicago. That would be great. </p>
<p>Stupid question...are you contacting your schools to tell them your S made NMF? I'm not sure if we should or not.</p>
<p>kdos,
Yes, S was very into the election. He had volunteered for a year for a progressive presidential candidate and also for a couple months before the election for a local congressional candidate. He amazes me sometimes with his knowledge of the national scene. For instance, he knows all the senators from each state, when their terms come up and a lot of their responsibilities in the Senate. He taped all of the National Convention (democratic one) and watched it all, some of it twice. He'd like to go into law and then public service, I think (well, at this point anyhow, he's only 17). Your son's field sounds fascinating! Does Chicago have a major in Ev. Psych or would he cross major in those fields? What kind of career might that degree lead to?</p>
<p>As for contacting the schools, I think we will send out a quick letter to the private schools with an update. I don't see how it can hurt, though Chicago may be done with their merit selecting, for all I know. Is this S your first-born? For us, it is. Makes it hard to know what to do. I think I'll be more relaxed when 14-year-old D gets to this stage. :)</p>
<p>momof2inca,</p>
<p>I sent you a PM...</p>
<p>
[quote]
I think I'll be more relaxed when 14-year-old D gets to this stage.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'm on kid number two, the second in two years to go through this and it isn't much better. I've got two more in the pipeline, too!</p>
<p>S emailed his adcom & mentioned the NMF as well as some EC updates. I don't think it can hurt as long as the communication is polite and brief.</p>